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A front was crossing the central North Island this morning, spreading rain and showers from Waikato north.

Auckland could see some morning rain, then a few showers, chance heavy and thundery in the afternoon with a high of 22C.

There was a moderate risk of thunderstorms in the central North Island from Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne down to Manawatu and the Tararua District in the afternoon and evening. Any thunderstorms that eventuated could produce localised heavy rain with intensities of up to 25mm per hour and hail up to 15mm diameter.

"With that big mass of showers swirling around, then add in daytime heating, and there is added impetus for some thunderstorms," Loots said.

In behind the front was a big mass of heavy showers and hail this morning stretching from Taranaki to Christchurch. That system was forecast to ease from the south with a ridge of high pressure building behind it.

Tuesday was looking fine for the South Island while showers continued in much of the North Island.

On Tuesday, Wednesday and much of Thursday, a low was forecast to lie northeast of the North Island, forcing a moist southeast flow onto Gisborne and Hawkes Bay.

The high pressure in the South Island should extend further north Wednesday, bringing fine weather to western and northern parts of the North Island.